Heated hair curler



July 7, 1970 N. L. soLoMoN 3,519,792

HEATED HAIR CURLER Filed July 26, 1967 2 SheetsSheet l NATHAN L. SOLOMONJuly 7, 1970 N. L. soLoMoN HEATED HAIR CURLER 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed July26, 1967 United States Patent O 3,519,792 HEATED HAIR CURLER Nathan L.Solomon, P.0. Box 550, Englewood, NJ. 07631 Filed July 26, 1967, Ser.No. 656,163 Int. Cl. Ad 2/36, 4/16; H05b 1/00 U.S. Cl. 219-222 7 ClaimsABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An electrically heated hair curler having aself-contained heating element with temperature limiting means forpreventing overheating of the curler and indicia for indicating to theuser 'when the curler has reached its operative temperature. The curlercontains adequate heat retaining material to maintain an elevatedtemperature during the curling process.

This invention relates to hair curlers and more particularly it relatesto hair curlers with self-contained heating units, which can be heatedelectrically to its operative temperature quickly, easily and safely, sothat the heat is directed to hair exteriorly wound about the curler.

Hair curling as practiced today in the home and beauty shops involvesdivision of the hair of the user into various tresses or swatches. Eachof the tresses is ordinarily wound uniformly about a hair curler and bydampening the curled tress Iwith water or with chemicals, or applyingheat or the like to the tress, the tress is caused to take the formimparted to the hair by the curler. Curlers came in various diametersfrom about a half an inch to three or four inches in diameter to formthe various size curls required by the dictates of fashion or the user.

It is well-known in the art that the curling operation can be hastenedand performed more effectively if the hair is heated during the curlingprocess. Heat applied exteriorly to the curled hair required expensiveand elaborate apparatus. Various attempts were made to provide heatinteriorly of the curl itself, such as disclosed in the Pasternak Pat.y3,228,403. While the results obtained from applying heat interiorly weregenerally satisfactory, the curling units were diicult to use,cumbersome and relatively heavy, so that they pro-ved uncomfortable tothe user, since it normally required a plurality of these curlers in thehair at one time. Further, these prior art icurlers had to be heated inboiling water for a relatively long period of time to reach theiroperating temperature, about 212 F., and hence did not allow forexibility of use. Additionally, the user 'was not always certain thatthe curler was at the optimum temperature causing further delays. Thetemperature of the curler was inherently limited by the temperature ofboiling water.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide asimple and effective heated hair curler which reaches an optimumelevated temperature quickly, and maintains an elevated temperature overa protracted period of time.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a curler havingself-contained heating element which quickly reaches its optimumtemperature yabove 212 F., and then automatically shuts off, preventingoverheating.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a haircurler having a self-contained heating unit of a predetermined diameter,which can produce a variety of different size curls proportionate to thelength of time the tress remains about the heated curler.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple to uselightweight, heated hair curler, which provides a signal to the userwhen it reaches its optimum temperature.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide aself-contained electric hair curling device which accomplishes all ofthe above and yet it is simple to use, durable, easy to fabricate, lightin weight, fast-acting and is reliable and safe in use.

Further objects and features of the invention will be apparent when thefollowing description is considered in connection with the annexeddrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective elevated view of one form of a hair curler readyto be heated in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 2 2 of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional View taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective elevated view of a furtherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG.4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an elevational sectional view of a further embodiment of thecurler and heating unit in inoperative position; and

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but with the heating unit inoperati-ve position.

Similar reference characters refer to similar elements throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

Referring now to the embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIGS.1-3, an assembly 10 is shown in FIG. 1 for heating and storing aplurality of hair curlers, such as hair curler 12. As shown, heatingassembly 10 has a generally rectangular base portion 14 having aplurality of female electrical receptacles 16, shown in the form ofcylinders, extending upwardly from its upper surface. Each ofreceptacles 16 has a pair of apertures 18 in which are positionedelectrical elements 20, which are electrically connected to suitableelectric conductors 22, respectively, for furnishing electricitythereto.

Extending upwardly from each of receptacles 16 is a depressable fingeror rod 17. Finger 17 is springloaded so as to be urged upwardly and isoperatively connected to a timer 19, well-known in the art, in base 14.As shown in FIG. 2, one of conductors 22 is interrupted by timer 19 andis electrically connected thereto. When finger 17 is depressed, itactuates timer 19 for a predetermined time. When timer 19 is actuated,electrical current through conductors 22 is received by femalereceptacle 16 and when timer 19 cuts off after the predetermined periodof time, electric current to receptacle 16 is cut off. Extending frombase 14 is an electrical conductor 23 terminating in a male plug 24 forinsertion in an electric socket, not shown, for supplying throughconductor 23 an electric current to conductors 22 and elements 20 inapertures 18- in each of the various receptacles 16.

As seen best in FIGS. 2 and 3, curler 12 is generally tubular in crosssection with a relatively thin outer cylinder Wall 26 made of a rigidplastic material. One end of curler 12 is closed indicated at 28 and isintegrally attached to wall 26. End 28 has an exteriorly directed radialflange 30 extending beyond wall 26. Wall 26 adjacent end 28 has asmaller inner diameter than the remainder of its inner surface, forminga step or ange 32 spaced from end 28. Generally concentrically disposedwithin wall 26 is a heating unit 34, which as shown, has alongitudinally disposed support rod 36, which is advantageously made ofa ceramic or other heatresisting material. Mounted at opposite ends ofrod 36 are end caps 38 preferably made of steel. Upper end cap 3S isreceived in a ceramic sleeve 40, which in turn is received withindownwardly extending flange 41 from a transversely extending disk 43.Disk 43 has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameteror wall 26, so as to be slidably received within wall 26 and abutagainst inwardly directed ange or step 32. At the lower end of rod 36abutting lower end cap 38 is a ceramic disk 45 which in turn is mountedon end piece 42. End piece `42 has a transverse disk section 42a and arroutward longitudinally extending sleeve 42b -with outward radiallyextending flange 42e. End piece 42 is frictionally received within 4wall26 and ilange 42e mates with a circumferential recess or groove in anoutwardly extending radial ange 44 on the end of wall 26. Extendingthrough disk portion 42a is a pin or conducting linger 47, which isrnatingly received within aperture 18 of receptacle 16. Sleeve 42b ofend piece 42 has an inner diameter and length sufcient to slidablyreceive receptacle 16. Helically mounted about rod 36 is a resistancewire `46 forming a series of coils. Wire 46 is electrically connected toeach of end caps 38. Lower end cap 38 is electrically connected to pinor finger 47. The circuit is completed by a conductor 48 which is agenerally L-shaped bar, electrically connected to upper end cap 38 andhas a lower end 49, extending through end piece 42 to suitably mate withaperture 18 in receptacle 16.

Electrically connected in parallel to resistance wire 46 is a circuitincluding a conductor 50 electrically connected to the lower end cap 38,a resistor 52, a bulb 54 and a conductor 57 electrically connected tothe upper end cap 38. Resistor 52 is of sufcient resistance to preventthe burn out of bulb 54 when the curler is operated in the mannerdiscussed below. Advantageously bulb 54 is positioned in the spacebetween disk 43 and curled end 28. To aid in making heating unit 26unitary, holding rods 56 interconnect upper disk 43 and end piece 42.

To use curler 12, plug 24 is connected to a source of electrical energy,not shown. Curler 12 is mounted on receptacle 16, so that maleconnectors 47 and 49 are rnatingly received by apertures 18. Asreceptacle 16 is received within the volume dened by end piece 42,finger 17 is depressed, thereby actuating timer 19 which allows electriccurrent to ow to female conductors 20, which are electrically connectedto elements 47 and 49. Resistance wire 46 becomes heated within a shortperiod of time, which in turn heats ceramic rod 36 and upper and lowerceramic sections 40 and 45. Similarly, bulb 54 is illuminated. After apredetermined time, which has been found advantageously to be between 75and 90 seconds, curler 12 is heated to about 350 F. and timer 19 breaksthe electric circuit to curler 12 causing bulb 54 to go out. Sincecurler end 28 is translucent, the user can immediately tell when curler12 is ready for use. The heated curler is not uncomfortable to handlebecause of the insulating properties of the plastic wall 26, and ilanges30 and 44. The user removes the heated curler from base 14 and rolls atress of hair thereabout in a conventional manner. The rolled tress canbe retained on the curler by clips, pins, or the like. After the tresshas remained on the roller for a few minutes, generally about 3l2minutes, depending on the nature of the hair, the roller is removed andthe tress of hair is curled. For larger size curls the curler is left inposition for less time and for tighter curls the curler is left in thehair for a longer period of time. For average size curls the curlers areleft in the hair for about -8 minutes. In view of the mass of the heatedceramic materials and the insulating properties of the plastic used, thecurler remains suiiciently heated for the curling operation. 'Ihe curlercan be reheated and used again, or another curler which has been heatedcan be used.

A further embodiment is shown in FIGS. 4-6, wherein a curler 60 ispositioned on a base 62. Base 62 is generally similar to base 14 and hasa receptacle 64 extending upwardly from the upper surface of base 62.Receptacle 64 has a single opening 66, which receives the electricalprong or linger 67 of curler 60. A pair of electrical conductors 68supply electricity to receptacle opening 66, as shown in FIG. 5.

Curler 60 has an open grid plastic outer shell 70 with an integrallyconnected end piece 72 having a radial outwardly extending rim 74. Endpiece 72 is translucent.

As shown, plastic shell 70 has extending from its end opposite to end72, a sleeve 71 which denes an inner volume so as to frictionallyreceive receptacle 64, as shown in FIG. 5. Lougitudinally extendingwithin shell 70 is a ceramic rod 76 having metal caps 78 at oppositeends. Upper cap 78 is received within a ceramic sleeve 80, whichcontains a thermostat `82. As shown, thermostat 82 has a bi-metalliclfinger "83, which electrically contacts end cap 78 when in its unheatedposition. Lower end cap 718 is mounted on a ceramic member 84, which hasa depending sleeve 85 concentric to shell 70. Extending through sleeve85 is a conducting prong 67 which is electrically coupled to lower endcap 78. Helically wound about rod 76 is resistance wire 86 forming aseries of coils, which is electrically coupled to each of end caps 78.Electrically connected in parallel between end caps 78 is a circuitconsisting of conductor 88 which is connected to resistor 90, which inturn is connected to one element of bulb 92, which in turn iselectrically connected to upper end cap 78 via conductor 94.

Concentrically disposed about rod 76 is a metal cylindrical wall 96,which is advantageously rnade of brass, copper or aluminum, or otherconductive material. Wall 96 is spaced inwardly from plastic shell 70.The upper part of Wall 96 is received within end 72, and the lower endof wall 96 is directed inwardly abutting the under surface of ceramicmember 84 and surrounds the outer surface of ceramic sleeve 85.Electrically connecting one end of thermostat 82 with wall 96 is aconductor 98. One of the conductors 68 in base 62 is electricallyconnected to wall 96, when curler 60 is mounted on receptacle 66 in FIG.5 completing the heating circuit.

To use curler 60, the plug on base 62 (not shown) is connected to aconventional source of electrical energy, which is supplied to conductor68. Curler 60 is mounted on receptacle 64 in a manner similar to thatdiscussed above with respect to curler 12, thereby .making electricalcontact with conductors 68. Wire 86 is heated and bulb 92 isilluminated. The heat from wire 86 is radiated and heats ceramic rod 76as well as upper end cap 78, whereby heat ows into thermostat 82 viafinger 83. Finger 83 is heated in this manner sui'licient to cause it tomove away from contact with end cap 78, thereby breaking the electricalcircuit in curler 60. Bulb 92 ceases to be illuminated and the viewerseeing the light go out through cap 72, which is translucent, removesthe curler from base 62 by grasping the rim 74 on end piece or cap 72.the metal wall 96 is heated by reason of radiation, convection andconduction of the heat from coil 86 and ceramic rod 76 and ceramicsleeves 79 and 84. The hair is rolled on the curler in a manner similarto that described above and the roller removed within a short time toform the desired curl.

A further embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.Here a curler 100 is mounted on a base member 102. Base member 102 ispreferably made of an insulating material, such as a plastic. Basemember 102 has a generally cylindrical opening having side walls 104 anda bottom wall 106 and contact carrying member 108 is insulatedly mountedin bottom wall 106 through an insulating bushing 110. Contact carryingmember 108 can be secured in position in bottom wall 106 in anyconvenient manner, such as by bolting, friction or the like, andadvantageously insulated bushing 110 should be heat resistant. At theforward end of contact carrying member 108 is a contact member 112having one or more integral bow shaped lingers 113 extending therefromwith hooks or the like at their ends 114. Slidably mounted within sidewall 104 is a slide or cup 116 which has a free sliding fit within wall104. Disposed generally centrally of slide 116 is a catch or stud 118which is insulated from slide 116 by a suitable insulating washer orsleeve 119. Preferably stud 118 is held in position on slide 116 byheading over the end of its shank 120. Slide 116 has downwardlyextending sleeve portion which serves to hold a spring 122 in positionwith the other end of spring 122 resting on insulating bushing 110.Advantageously bushing 110 has an upstanding rib 123 for maintainingspring 122 in position. Extending through bottom wall 106 and makingelectrical contact with spring 122 is a conducting rod 124. The rearwardend of contact carrying member 108 is electrically connected to aconductor 126 and similarly, the rearward end of conducting rod 124 iselectrically connected to conductor 128.

`Curler 100 comprises a generally tubular cross section with a generallythin outer cylindrical wall 130 made of rigid plastic material having anintegral cover 132 attached to the upper end. Concentrically disposedwithin wall 130 is a ceramic rod 134 having upper and lower end caps136. Frictionally mounted within wall 130 is an end piece 138 having atransverse portion 138:1 and downwardly extending sleeve 138b.Interposed between upper end 132 and upper end cap 136 is a ceramicsleeve 140 abutting each respectively. Similarly, disposed between endpiece 138 and lower end cap 136 is a ceramic sleeve 142 abutting eachrespectively. Extending through ceramic disk 142 and transverse section138a of end piece 138 is a rod 144 which is made of electricalconductive material. The outer diameter of rod 144 is such as to bematingly received within the headed over shank 120, and make electricalcontact therewith. Coiled about rod 134 is resistance wire 135 which iselectrically connected to Y end caps 136. Similarly, the outer diameterof curler 100 is cooperatively received within the opening in base 102formed by side wall 104. Electrically connected to upper end cap 136 isa conductor 146 which as shown is an L-shaped rod, and passes throughwall 138a of end piece 138. Extending through slide 116 is an electricalcontact 148, which is electrically coupled to spring 122 and which ispositioned to contact extending portion of conductor 146, such as shownin FIGS. 7 and 8.

Preferably the catch and thermostatically controlled switch is madeunitary to provide a single assembly with reduced cost. Contact member112 is made of a bimetallic material in order to be responsive tothermal conditions, and its fingers 113 are of narrow width and slightlybowed, so as to readily spread or open to the dotted line position shownin FIG. 8 under the influence of heat. Preferably the ends of fingers113 of contact member 112 are provided with hooks which positivelyengage stud 118. The end of stud 118 facing contact member 112 has atapered surface 150 which terminates in a shoulder 152. When stud 118 ispushed toward bottom wall 106, tapered surface 150 forces fingers 113 ofcontact member 112 apart, which are then snapped in back of a shoulder152 and lock stud 118 in closed position. Fingers 113 lock and hold stud118 in closed position while simultaneously completing an electricalconnection from conductor 126 through contact carrying member 108,contact member 112, stud 118 and stud shank 120 through wire or heatingelement 135, conductor 146, contact member 148, spring 122, conductorrod 124 and to conductor 128, so that wire 135 is heated. As the heatingelement 135 is heated, the heat is transferred through ceramic rod 134and bottom end cap 136 toconductor rod 144. Stud 118 is thus heated andsimultaneously heats fingers 113 of contact member 112, causing fingers113 to expand in the direction shown in dotted lines in FIG. 8, untilthe ends 114 of iingers 113 move clear of the shoulder 152 of stud 118,whereupon the spring 122 is free to move slide 116 upwardly in the baseopening separating stud 118 from contact member 112, thereby 6 breakingthe circuit to coil 135. Fingers 113 are so constructed that theyrelease stud 118 when curler 100 has reached the desired operatingtemperature.

Thus, when it is desired to heat curler 100, the curler is placed in theopening in fbase 102, such as shown in FIG. 7, and it and slide 116 arepushed deeper into the opening against the pressure of the yieldingspring 122, whereby beveled end 150 of the contact stud 118 engagesfingers 113 of contact member 112 to lock the sliding unit in switchclosing position. As coil 135 is heated, some of the heat travelsthrough conductor rod 144 to stud 11'8 and gradually moves the fingers113 of the bimetallic member 112 to open position, causing the ends 114of fingers 113y to ride over shoulder portion `152` of stud 118 until arelease between the shoulder 152 and fingers 113 is effected and thecurler is urged back into the inoperative position shown in FIG. 7 underthe influence of slide 116 and spring 122. Thereafter the user winds atress` of hair about the heated curler 100 and uses it in a .similarmanner disclosed above. The sound of the curler being released alertsthe user the curler has reached its operative position.

Advantageously, it has been found that using about 67 turns of .003 inchdiameter resistance type wire provides adequate heat about 350 F.,within a relatively short period of time, namely, 75-90 seconds. yIffaster heating is desired, a larger size wire can be used so that theheat will ybe greater.

A further embodiment of a heated curler shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is if theheating coil is positioned in stud shank 120, so that conductive rod orprong 144 is heated, thereby conducting heat to ceramic rod 134, whichretains the heat. Also, curler end could be generally flat and theheating coil placed on the upper surface of slide 116, so that thecurler end rests on the heating coil and heats the ceramic materialwithin the curler.

While one form of detent construction has been shown for maintaining theelectrical circuit closed during the heating of the curler, otherIreleasable holding mechanisms may be employed.

Also, it should be noted that advantageously the male prongs projectingfrom the bottom end of the curler do not extend beyond the plastic wall,so that the user would not be inadvertently burned while rolling thehair. If desired, the curler could be made with the female connections,i.e., apertures in the lower end, and the base member could contain themale electrical connectors or prongs extending upwardly to mate with thefemale `receptacle of the curler. The plastic curler body prevents thecurler from `becoming uncomfortable to handle. The thermostatic or timecontrol prevents overheating of the curler body.

To aid in rolling and holding the tress of hair about the outer surfaceof the roller as shown in the drawings, rows of outward radialprojections 156 are shown. The body of the curlers are formed of a rigidplastic, which has a higher softening point than the temperaturesreached by the plastic when the curler is heated. Some of the plasticsthat could be used are polystyrene, nylon, acrylics, polypropylenes,butyrates, polyethylenes and vinyl. The present curler constructioncontains adequate heat retaining material, such as the ceramic andplastic, so that when heated the curler retains the heat over a periodof time.

Also, the present invention provides a minimum loss of heat from thesource of heat to the hair. Advantageously, the hair is clamped afterrolled.

While the base members show receptacles for a plurality of curlers, asingle receptacle can be provided, which is preferable for portability.While the receptacles on the base members were shown cylindrical, othershapes could be used. Also, the rods about which the resistance wire waswound was indicated as being ceramic, however, other heat resistancematerials could be used. Further, while light was shown as the signalmeans, sound, such as a buzzer or fbell could be used.

If desired, with minor changes, the curlers disclosed can be adapted foruse with direct current, such as With automobiles.

The present invention will produce curls within a few minutes withoutthe use of acids, lotions or the like. The curler is controlled so as tobe heated quickly to an optimum temperature, which allows the roller tobe readily handled by the user, but which will provide adequate heat tothe rolled hair to quickly form the hair into a curl. A base can be usedto allow several curlers to be heated simultaneously, so as to quicklyprovide curls for the entire hair.

All preferred embodiments have been described above, but it will beunderstood that many variations thereof will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art without departing from the spirit thereof.Therefore, it is intended that the foregoing description shall be deemedillustrative only and not construed in the limiting sense, the presentinvention Ibeing dened solely by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A hair curling apparatus comprising a hair curler, including anelongated tubular member about which hair is rolled, a heat absorbermounted within said tubular member, an electrical connector atlxed atone end of said tubular member, a heating element contained within saidtubular member in heating relation with said heat absorber andelectrically coupled to said electrical connector; in combination with abase, said base including a member axially movable to operative andinoperative positions and adapted to 'be engaged by said one end of saidtubular member; an electrical source coupled to said base; means carriedby said movable member and cooperating to electrically couple saidelectrical source to the electrical connector on said tubular memberwhen said movable member is moved to the operative position by saidcurler; means normally urging said movable member into inoperativeposition; and means in heat exchange relationship with said heatingelement for releasably holding said movable member in circuit closingposition until the heating element in said tubular member has obtained apredetermined temperature; when said predetermined temperature isreached, said last-mentioned means releases said movable member andpermits said movable member and said curler to be moved to inoperativeposition.

2. A hair curling apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said movable memberis a slide cooperatively movable with the tubular member intoelectrically operative and inoperative positions; said holding meansincludes a bimetallic arm for operatively holding the slide inelectrically operative position and operatively connects the heatingelement to the source of electricity until said element is heated to apredetermined temperature, whereupon said bimetallic arm deforms inresponse to heating for releasing said slide and allowing it to returnto its inoperative position and to disconnect said source of electricityfrom said heating element.

3. A hair curling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said basemember has an elongated upright cylindrical cavity, which opens throughthe upper surface; said curler being removably received within saidcavity; said slide being movable within said recess and said holdingmeans being a detent, comprising a cooperating shouldered stud on saidslide and said bimetallic yarm on said base member; said arm being inheat-exchange relation to said heating element, and responsive to thetemperature of said heating element, so that when said predeterminedtemperature is reached, said arm deforms in response to heating andreleases said stud thereby permitting said slide to be displaced fromsaid operative position to said inoperative position.

4. A hair curling apparatus as in claim 3, wherein said shouldered studis insulatively mounted to said slide and movable therewith, said studbeing electrically conductive and electrically coupled to the electricalconnector aixed to said tubular member; and said bimetallic arm beinghooked-shaped and electrically connected to said source of electricity.

5. A hair curling apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said tubular memberis constructed from plastic material, and said heating element comprisesresistance Wire extending generally longitudinally within said tubularmember.

6. A hair curling apparatus according to claim 5, wherein saidelectrical connector on said tubular member is a prong extendinglongitudinally outwardly from said tubular member end, said tubularmember having a sleeve extending longitudinally beyond said prong.

7. A hair curling apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein saidmeans for normally urging the movable member into inoperative positionis a spring, said spring being electrically conductive and beingelectrically coupled to said heating element.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,588,193 6/1926 Schmitz 132-331,901,892 3/1933 Bjorkman et al. 132-33 1,941,439 12/1933 Lewis 132-332,060,102 11/1936 Moseley 132-34 2,140,311 12/1938 Cohen 219-2642,558,441 6/1951 Jones.

2,932,716 4/1960 Fenn 219-264 3,250,895 5/ 1966 McNair 219-222 3,257,5416/1966 Jorgensen 219-222 3,283,122 11/1966 McNair 219-222 ANTHONYBARTIS, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.

